Shiba Inu Under Coat -

Sashige or dirty red Shiba Inus carrying a recessive black and tan gene will typically have dark undercoats like black and tans.

The Purpose of a Double Coat

The two layers of coats on your Shiba Inu have two important functions.

The dense undercoat acts as an insulator to keep the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

The outer coat acts as a type of “jacket” and repels both moisture and dirt. It also helps to protect your dog’s skin from sunburn and pesky insects.

Because Shiba Inu coats have both the function of insulating a Shiba Inu as well as protecting their skin from sunburn and pests - Shiba Inu coats SHOULD NEVER BE SHAVED.

Shiba Inu Urajiro

The distinct white markings on Shiba Inu coats is called urajiro, and is an important element of a Shiba Inu's coat.

The loose but accurate definition of urajiro translated from Japanese means “undersurface white”.

The color tone of urajiro ranges from white to slightly off-white.

Many animal species (birds, fish, reptiles) aside from dogs have had these types of markings, or countermarkings (camouflage) since prehistoric times.

These camouflage marking helped animals to blend into their surroundings to hide from both prey and predators.

All Shiba Inus must show proper urajiro to conform to breed standards. Reds have the most urajiro covering out of the three standard coat colors.

On a Shiba Inu’s face, the urajiro must be present on the side and bottom of mouth, on the cheeks and inside the ears. Light colored dots are permitted above the eyes on all colors but are mandatory for black and tans.

Urajiro must also be seen on the neck, chest, forechest, ventral side of tail, and on the inside area of the legs.

The transition of color gradation from urajiro to coat color should be gradual and “soft” - especially for red Shiba Inus.

Black and Tan Shiba Inus often have urajiro that resembles two triangles on the chest that often times resemble a bowtie.

There is not yet a definitive genetic test for assuring proper urajiro.

However, it has been observed that Shiba Inus carrying the cream gene will display brighter urajiro covering more coat area than non cream gene carrying Shibas.

Non Standard Variations of Shiba Inu Coat types

Just like with all breeds of dogs, variations of coat types and length do occur due to genetics and breeding practices.

These variations don’t conform to breed standards, so they can’t be show dogs and should not be bred.

They can, of course, be loved just as much as their “standard” coat Shiba Inu brothers and sisters.

The Long Haired Shiba Inu

Long haired Shiba Inus have longer guard hairs (3 inches or more) and have a fluffy, “teddy bear” look.

Long haired Shibas are not very common but not exactly a “rare” occurrence.

Many Spitz type dogs like the Shiba Inu and Akita carry the long coat gene as this gene has been present for centuries.

In fact, many known show dogs were carriers of the gene which is why long haired Shibas pop up all around the world.

Long-haired Shiba Inu puppy on left

Reputable Shiba Inu breeders do genetic testing to ensure that they don’t breed Shiba Inus with genes that will lead to the possibility of long-haired offspring.

Black and Tan Shiba Inu

The black should give have a rusty-brown cast due to the fact that each individual guard hair typically consists of three different hues - cream, rusty-buff, and rusty black.

Black and tan coats shouldn’t have a bluish hue.

Black and tan undercoats are gray or buff colored. The separation of the black colored areas are clearly defined from the tan colored areas.

The tan points are located above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle and on the outsides of the fore and hind legs down towards the toes. Tan points is also allowed on the inside of the ears and the ventral side of the tail.

The guard hairs should stand away from the body allowing the undercoat to be seen from behind or when brushing the coat backwards.

On the face, the oval tan points above the eyebrows are about the size of thumb prints and shouldn't be any bigger so that it causes an illusion of half moon above the eyes.

From the eyes, there should should be black separating the eyes from the white / tan mask of the cheeks and muzzle.

Sesame Shiba Inu

So much so that it's difficult to get a good photograph of a sesame to share. (Please message me if you have an amazing sesame photo to share).

​Many Shiba Inu owners think they have a sesame when in reality they are most likely to have a sashige or “dirty red” Shiba Inu.

A true red sesame has beautiful, vibrant, red base hairs with a tipping of black points that are evenly distributed throughout the body and head.

Some true sesames with dull red base hairs have all the qualifications to be considered true red sesame but lack the desirability of a sesame that has a vibrant red base coat.

Sesame Shiba Inus are sometimes called sable Shiba Inus which is technically correct with a caveat -All sesame coats can be considered sable coats- but not all sable coats can be considered sesame coats.

Sables, on the other hand, do not have black points evenly distributed throughout their body.

Instead sables usually have a smattering of black along their backs and sides but not covering the entire torso.

Sesame Shiba Inus are fairly dark but there should not have more than 50% black coverage on the coat.

These stringent coat requirements are one of the main reasons finding a “true” gorgeous red sesame is a rare but delightful treat.

Sashige / "Dirty" Red Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus with a “Sashige” or “shaded red” coat are often confused with sesame Shiba Inus - which led to them being registered as “red sesame” Shiba Inu in the past.

Sashige Shiba Inus are not sesame Shiba Inus and should be classified as reds for purposes of registration only.

A sashige Shiba Inu’s coat is red with black tipping marking some or much of the body. This black tipping is never solid black and instead, is dispersed evenly in the areas that its located.

This black tipping or shading is not found on the face. This fact is one way to rule out the Shiba Inu being sesame as all sesames have black tipping on their face.

Sashige Shiba Inus usually have an off-white or creamier color urajiro markings than red Shiba Inus.

Genetically speaking, Sashige Shiba Inus often carry the black and tan (most common) or agouti gene and the absence of the cream gene

Non-Standard Breed Colors

Cream Shiba Inu

Cream Shiba Inus are purebred Shiba Inus with a white / cream coat and a white undercoat. The cream coat color is a majorly faulted coat color that does not conform to breed standards.

The urajiro or white markings on Shiba Inus are important for breed standards and cannot be distinguished in cream Shiba Inus.

Cream Shiba Inu are the results of a recessive pale red gene that got passed from one or both its parents.

Since a cream Shiba Inu is the result of a recessive pale red gene, cream Shiba Inu are not pure white but rather cream coated. Red tipping on the ears is common.

Since the black gene is missing, creams do not have any black in their coat.

For reasons yet not completely understood, some cream Shiba Inus have cream coats with a hint of pale peach, yellow, or salmon colors.

In Japan, Nippo does not allow cream Shiba Inus in the show ring - but they can be registered.

In America, AKC faults cream Shiba Inus but do allow them to show.

Cream Shiba Inus should not be mistaken for other forms of “white-coated” dogs such as albino, double merle, harlequin, and extreme white piebald - all of which are associated with increased health issues.

Cream Shiba Inus are just as healthy as other Shiba Inus except when they are purposely inbred by unscrupulous breeders.

All reputable Shiba Inu breeders who breed for the love and preservation of the breed will not knowingly breed cream Shiba Inus or genetic pairs that can possibly produce a cream Shiba Inu puppy.

While genetic testing is a deep and complex subject - most tests for coat color and coat length are fairly reliable.

Consult with your veterinarian to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Mange

Mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by exposure to the Sarcoptes mite from other infected animals.

Mange is a serious issue that can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

Veterinary care and in some cases, quarantine is warranted immediately.

Treatment time takes roughly 4- 6 weeks and includes a rigorous bathing schedule with scabicidal dips such as invermectin.

Certain cases will also call for oral medications. Learn more about Mange here.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis, often referred to as bacterial folliculitis, is one of the most common canine skin infection.

Folliculitis develops when healthy hair follicles become infected with a bacteria that is normally found on the animal’s skin.

Usually, this bacteria does not cause any issues. However, when hair follicles become irritated or damaged due to scratching, trauma, or an underlying disease - bacteria sets in and results in an infection.

Underlying diseases such as thyroid diseases and auto immune diseases can be the source of folliculitis.

Other skin problems like allergies, canine acne, and parasitic / fungal issues can lead to folliculitis.

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